Shanklin and Sandown golf club played host to an impressive final of the IWGU Scratch Knockout on Saturday 10th September between two veteran Island Games players Matt Barnicoat and George Foreman.
The match was played in exemplary manor with neither quarter asked or given, Matt started solidly with four text book pars to take a one hole lead after George took a five at the third putting his tee shot in a fairway bunker. This was the first of four examples where the pair where treated to the outstanding hospitality of Shanklin members as they simply stepped aside and let the final play through on a busy morning where the course was full.
Both players missed the par 3, 5th green on the right with George chipping dead forcing the first error from Matt putting his ball 15ft passed the hole but then ramming in the putt back for the half. George continued to apply the pressure and brought the match back to all square with his wedge approach on sixth to gimme length and Matt failing to hole his 10ft birdie putt for the half. On the 8th George hit the only loose drive from the pair of them all day finding the bushes on the left, then failing to get the ball back out and having to take a penalty drop, Matt kept his cool and calmly birdied the hole to go back to one up.
An uncharacteristic three putt from George allowed Matt to go two up on the 10th with a par. The 11th saw Matt push his tee shot into the green side bunker, George took his chance and put his tee shot to 8ft and rolled in the birdie putt, Matt didn't make his par scoring only his second bogey out of 44 holes of golf!
Both players had 15ft birdie putts on the 12th with George just lipping out to take Matt to 2 up. Solid pars at the 13th and 14th all round were followed by a birdie 3 at 15 from Matt to go dormie three up. George failed to hole his 10ft birdie putt on the par 5, 16th to lose 3 & 2 to the very in form Matt Barnicoat who was 2 under par for the sixteen holes played.
